The Colorado Rockies haven’t always been great about honoring their now three-decades plus history, especially when compared with most other MLB clubs. To date, they have just two retired numbers – Hall-of-Famers Todd Helton and Larry Walker (plus former Team President Keli McGregor) – and even that was very slow to happen. There have, of course, been a lot more than just two all-time great Rockies.
The team took two steps in the right direction this summer, deciding to erect a pair of statues outside the main entrance to Coors Field. This weekend, they’ll unveil the second of two, this one for the greatest Rockie of them all, Helton. He joins Walker – who had his statue unveiling last month – in being immortalized at the corner of 20th and Blake.
Aside from the statues, the team has previously talked about a Ring of Fame display for McGregor’s Square or somewhere nearby. Unfortunately, to date, nothing has materialized. Hopefully, that will change soon if the rumors of more potential involvement from partner owners Greg and Carrie Penner come true. The Penners have been very involved with the Denver Broncos Alumni.
Meanwhile, fans of most sports teams love to debate who would be on their club’s “Mt. Rushmore,” the four best from that team to ever wear the uniform. It’s all hypothetical, of course, but who would fans want to see on the Rockies’ imaginary Mt. Rushmore?
It’s a given that the two Hall-of-Famers, Walker and Helton, would be on there. Being enshrined in Cooperstown locks up a lot of things. But who would be the other two?
There are plenty of candidates, of course. Players who were stars in purple pinstripes. In no particular order, that group would have to include players like Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Holiday, Andres Galarraga, Troy Tulowitzki, Don Baylor, Charlie Blackmon, Dante Bichette, Nolan Arenado, Eric Young Sr., Vinny Castilla, Ellis Burks, Jeff Francis, D.J. LeMahieu, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa, and perhaps a few more who made an All-Star team or two.
But which two stand out the most?
It should start with the next Rockies player who will end up in Cooperstown, and that’s Arenado. His performances and his statistics are already Hall-worthy, and while he’s no longer in his prime, he’s still adding to his considerable legacy. Not only could/should his number already be retired at Coors Field, but he should be enshrined in Cooperstown in his very first year of eligibility.
That’s three.
The final spot on the mountain should go to the first manager in team history, the late, great Don Baylor. His considerable statistical achievements as a player aren’t quite enough to get him into Cooperstown, but his contributions to the Rockies franchise – including guiding Colorado to the postseason in just the franchise’s third season of existence – can’t be overstated. He’s meant even more to this franchise than any of the great group of aforementioned players. While Baylor will undoubtedly be part of whatever Ring or Walk of Honor finally comes to pass, along with all of those former players, his honor should be a step above even those all-time Rockies greats.
It appears there’s a new era on the horizon for Rockies baseball. Hopefully honoring the best of the best from the past will be part of that.
